Rugby-All Blacks prop Franks cleared of eye gouging allegations

WELLINGTON Aug 28 (Reuters) - All Blacks prop Owen Franks has been cleared of eye gouging allegations after the southern hemisphere's governing body did not issue any citings from New Zealand's Rugby Championship clash against Australia.

Video footage appeared to show the forward's hands raking across the face of Wallabies lock Kane Douglas during a maul early in Saturday's clash at Wellington Regional Stadium.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said after his side's 29-9 loss that he had seen the incident and that he thought the match citing commissioner would examine it further.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, however, said on Sunday they had not been told of any citings from the match. Governing body SANZAAR confirmed in an email to Reuters that no action had been taken against any player.

Hansen added he agreed with the decision, especially given the disciplinary process involved examining footage from multiple camera angles. Footage on social media had shown the incident from just one angle.

"I have seen the footage and I agree with the independent person that there is nothing to answer for," Hansen said.

"You have to be really careful until you see all the views. Social media were the people who alerted everyone to it and they certainly don't get all the views, so you need to be careful.

"There is a process and that process has been followed and whoever the citing commissioner was has seen all the angles and believes there is nothing to answer for.
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